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Rockies blow five-run lead, lose to Braves in 10 innings

The Rockies' Michael Cuddyer scores a third-inning run against Braves catcher Evan Gattis on Monday in Atlanta. More photos. (Scott Cunningham, Getty Images)

ATLANTA — Seasons go to die in the strangest places. And under the most unusual circumstances.

In a season that has alternated between promising and frustrating, the Rockies rallied, competed and buried their hands in their faces, falling 9-8 in 10 innings Monday night to the Atlanta Braves in one of the season's most entertaining and disappointing games.

This was 2013, the trailer.

"You can't look at it like the season is over," said Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, who went 5-for-5 tying a career high for hits in a game. "Baseball is already hard enough without thinking like that. We have to keep playing hard. We haven't gone on a run. Hopefully when we do, it's not too late."

Colorado ditched its Michael Bolton offense — no more soft rock, please — by scoring five runs in three innings. They played terrific defense, sprinkling web gems throughout. But in the biggest moments, they failed miserably.

Edgmer Escalona, who has been impossible to trust since returning from an elbow injury, walked leadoff hitter Dan Uggla in the 10th. Rather than bunt, as the Rockies did multiple times, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez gave shortstop Andrelton Simmons the green light. Simmons lined an 0-2 fastball to the left-center gap, scoring Uggla as the Braves' dugout emptied in delight.

The Rockies' resilience in the ninth forced the Braves to provide drama. Colorado tied the game with Gonzalez's single. CarGo also stole two bases, becoming the first Rockie with four consecutive 20-home run, 20-steal seasons. But Todd Helton couldn't capitalize against lefty Scott Downs, who came from the tarmac to Turner Field, arriving by trade from the Los Angeles Angels before the game. With the bases loaded, Helton lined out to Downs on the first pitch.

Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies hits a run scoring single against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 29, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. More photos. (Scott Cunningham, Getty Images)

This matchup would not have mattered if not for the inexplicable meltdown earlier.

In an unspeakably bad third inning, third baseman Nolan Arenado booted a routine groundball, sprinkling lighter fluid on the charcoals of the Braves' grilling.

This wasn't so much as a game as a reality show. It was impossible to turn away because someone might say something, or do something that was odd or unexpected. The Rockies, who were down to room service as the highlight of the evening, didn't go away easily.

The Rockies want to believe they are in the playoff race, but that's really just unicorns and rainbows as long as they aspire to mediocrity. Until they reach .500 again — they are 51-56 — it's hard to take them seriously as contenders. The math is blunt and sobering.

They fell a season-high 6½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are so hot they won Sunday despite striking out 20 times. Let's do the math, to paint the picture that has developed over the last month.

Since June 22, the Dodgers are 26-6. The Rockies rank second in the National League West during that stretch with a 14-18 record. To reach 88 wins, the likely minimum threshold to claim the division, the Rockies would have to go 37-18 over their last 55 games. To post their first winning record since 2010, a 31-24 mark is required.

Jorge De La Rosa picked a bad time to have his worst game in two months. Arenado's error only pushed him more deeply into the quicksand. De La Rosa was missing high frequently, and was punished. The Braves racked him for six runs (three earned) on five hits, sending 11 hitters to the plate in the third. The inning spun out of control when Arenado couldn't handle Evan Gattis' one-out, bases-loaded groundball.

"I have no excuses," De La Rosa said. "I left the ball up, and they have a lot of good hitters."

Nicasio's previous problems were traced to his mechanics and were totally understandable. He wasn't finishing his pitches, as he was slightly hesitant and leaning off to the right to protect himself from line drives. A Triple-A tuneup, however, helped him regain confidence and release the ball farther out front. In his last 19 innings, the right-hander has allowed just one run and eight hits while striking out 15. Beyond this season, if Nicasio can be this type of reliable starter, it dramatically changes how the rotation is viewed. Alex Wood, drafted in the second round last year, is a left-hander with a knuckle curve who is replacing injured Paul Maholm.